One dead and another missing after inflatable boat flips off Kapiti Coast

JOHN WEEKES

Last updated 22:53, January 23 2017

MONIQUE FORD / Stuff.co.nz

A major search and rescue operation off the Otaki river mouth north of Wellington on Monday. The body of one man has been recovered but searchers are continuing the search for a second person on Tuesday.

The search for a second person missing after a small boat capsized off the Kapiti Coast has been called off for the night to resume tomorrow morning.

One person 's body has already been found and police said they believe another is still in the water near the Otaki River mouth.

A full-scale search had been underway on Monday evening, and was expected to resume on Tuesday at approximately 9am, after high tide.

MONIQUE FORD/FAIRFAX

Kapiti Coast residents watch on as the search continues for the second passenger of a boat which flipped in the waters off Otaki.

The search will include two surf lifesaving vessels, two 4WDs, and search and rescue teams.

It is believed the two men were going down the river in a small inflatable boat with oars and found themselves in a patch of rapidly-flowing water near the mouth.

They jumped out but were pushed further, ending up in the sea.

MONIQUE FORD/FAIRFAX NZ

The scene at the mouth of the Otaki River where emergency services are searching for a second passenger after a small boat flipped in the water.

A member of the public witnessed two people in trouble before contacting police.

Lifesavers, police, and a helicopter crew were called in to help with the sea rescue at 1.40pm on Monday.

At 3.30pm, Police said they had recovered the body of a middle-aged man. His next-of-kin have been informed.

Lily Christian

Large swell at Raumati south, Kapiti with some hitting the windows of a house.

Police search and rescue incident controller Gareth Hughes said the water search was suspended at 7pm by rough conditions but Land Search and Rescue teams would continue to search the shoreline on foot until late Monday evening.